Eritrean people & sports fans are amazing.

Eri-International has been writing about Eritrean related sports for a long time now. Throughout the years we have written stories that have been very inspirational and educational. As a collective unit we Eritreans have done amazing things collectively and we must continue to do so for the future generations.

Henok Goitom made his first appearance for the Quakes since being signed on Aug. 10, playing                                                                         21 minutes as a substitute.

                             
One classic example of Eri-International sports blogs has been Henok Goitom. Some may ask why Henok? Simply put he exemplifies what every athlete should be like. He is humble and in a world where famous athletes have sometimes become a bit selfish, Henok Goitom has remained humble and kind. As a child born in the diaspora (Sweden) of Eritrean immigrants he has proven that with tender love from parents and his community he has been the role model that millions aspire to be. In Sweden he was voted as the best player in the country by fans. He has also transferred his knowledge and experience to younger people including the up and coming youngster Alexander Isak. He has also helped build a youth team made up of immigrants which started of scratch and are playing in the lower Swedish professional league. Eritrea also has many other athletes within the country and outside of the country. We can list them all and the numbers are growing. But how about the fans?

Eritrean People & Fans are always side by side with their athletes.

Since Eritrea's independence whenever information goes out about athletes or Eritreans participating in major events the Eritrean fans come out to share the success and add color to the event, individual or teams. It has been proven over and over again. It is with this in mind that I say let us continue to develop our Eritrean teams every opportunity we get.

It is with this in mind that I want to thank the San Jose area community of Eritreans lead by Fitsum Kiflezghi and many more who were able to attend the first game of Henok Goitom's Major Soccer League game. While the team lost a close game to Houston (2-1) the support was a classic example of the can do Eritrean Spirit. Eri-International sport has remained connected with professional organizations and will attempt to share information as well as education by advocating for diaspora and Eritrean athletes. Henok got in the game late but the San Jose Earthquakes lost a close one. Meanwhile, the team has 10 games left for the season and will attempt to sneak into the playoffs despite a very tough task ahead of them. They are not fully out of it yet but for them to make the playoffs they must win and Henok as a proven scorer can help them get close in his very first year.

Thank you San Jose area Eritreans for waving the flag of the can do people of Eritrea and welcoming him to the Bay area. We hope to see other cities emulate this noble deed.

For Eri-International Sports
Mike Seium

Welcome to Major league Soccer. Eritrean-Swede International Henok Goitom.

Eri-International Sports Blog is proud to announce that on Friday August 19th, 2016 The San Jose Earthquakes will be hosting the Houston Dynamo at Avaya stadium in San Jose, California as Eritrean national team member makes his debut in Major league Soccer. Eri-International sports has arranged for Eritrean fans to attend the game by working out a deal with the San Jose Earthquakes who were kind enough to grant us some good seats and at a very reasonable cost. We encourage Eritreans in the bay area and especially in San Jose to attend the game and support Henok Goitom. Eri-International Sport also has other plans to work with the San Jose Earthquakes in the near future and we will fill you in on it as we get confirmation for next season.

As Eritreans and Eritrean-Americans it is a blessing to see one of our own playing in the USA. What makes it even unique is that Henok Goitom is a humble individual who has done incredibly well as a person and athlete. He embodies the Eritrean people's attitude. His upbringing in Sweden to Eritrean parents has turned him into a great person. He is a great role model and the Eritrean community in San Jose and the Bay area should seize on this great opportunity that the San Jose Earthquakes have provided. Henok is also an ambassador of the Eritrean people and communities across the world. He was picked by a team that has strong soccer traditions.

Who are the San Jose Earthquakes?

So as a young man myself, I watched the North American Soccer League and witnessed some of the best players in the world at the time like Johan Cruyff of Holland, Giorgio Chinaglia of Lazio, Ray Hudson, Nene Cubillas of Peru and the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, Jomo Sono, Gordon Banks, Franz Bekenbauer, Roberto Bettega, Gerd Muller, Kaz Deyna of Poland, Eusebio, Pele and many more. One player I can never forget introduced me to the San Jose Earthquakes and he was truly the "Best" in the old Irish spirit of love, George Best one of the most incredible and skillful players for the San Jose Earthquakes. He was a blast to watch and even had scored the budweiser Goal of the year after he dribbled past defenders of the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers to put the ball in the back of the net.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8wGN5uDaVg

George Best of the San Jose Earthquakes scored this fantastic goal against the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers on July 22, 1981 at Spartan Stadium in San Jose. It's often called the greatest goal in NASL history. The franchise's roots trace back to 1974, when the North American Soccer League (NASL) awarded an expansion franchise to San Jose, named the Earthquakes. The name Earthquakes originally came from a newspaper contest in the San Jose Mercury News, in which fans were encouraged to send in suggestions for the name of the franchise. Henok will also be the George Best of his era as he will add a lot of energy to the team as it attempts to make the playoffs this year. 

So far the San Jose Earthquakes will try to extend their unbeaten streak to six games and move above the red line in Major League Soccer's playoff race. San Jose (7-6-10) is seventh in Major League Soccer's Western Conference standings with 31 points, just one point behind the sixth-place Portland Timbers whom Henok Goitom scored a goal against during his visit to the USA while he was with AIK Stockholm. Houston, meanwhile is (4-10-9) and in last place in the Western Conference with 21 points. San Jose has not lost in its last five outings. The Earthquakes are coming off a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Hopefully the will continue to win and slide into the playoffs. 

Already according to San Jose, "Henok is a proven goal scorer that will add punch to our offense," Earthquakes general manager John Doyle said. "We think he will be a great fit for the club both on the field and in the locker room. 

Go and Support here is all the information that you need.

Matchday Information

Kickoff: 8:00 p.m.

Gates Open: 6:00 p.m.

Parking Lots Open: 4:00 p.m. 

Will Call and Guest Services Open: 5:30 p.m. 

Special Event: Portuguese Heritage Night

Giveaway: 5,000 Meriwest Credit Union Lunch Bags

Have a great time and don't forget to wave the Eritrean flags so that Henok Can see it. 

For Eri-International Sports

Mike Seium

Thomas Kelati Signs new contract with Polish Team.

Eritrean-American-Polish star Thomas Kelati has been playing his basketball in Spain the past couple of years after transferring from Russia where he won a championship.He spent the past 2 years with UCAM Murcia CB of the Spanish league. Kelati finished this past season with an average of 5.6 points per game mostly playing as a sixth man. Now at 33-years Thomas will make his home with Polish side STELMA BC Zielona Gora where he has signed a two year contract. Kelati who played his college basketball at Washington State University has also represented Poland on the national team level. After signing with a Belgian team fresh out of college he went on to play in Poland where he was player of the year in the Polish league. He then got a short term contract with the Los Angeles Lakers only to see action in the pre-season games. He will be joining some of his team mates from the Polish national team as he makes his way back to where his early days of basketball started in Poland. 

Thomas playing for Poland's national team.

STELMA BC Zielona Gora plays in the Polish premier league and also participates in the European league where they play top teams from other European nations where Thomas has won championships. 

The team Zielona Góra, is also known as Stelmet Zielona Góra for sponsorship reasons, or Zastal Zielona Góra a historic name that the fans identify with. It is home base is in Zielona Góra, Poland. It also happens to be the 2015 Polish Cup and Super Cup champion.

For Eri-International sports

Mike Seium